Solo Travel: To Go or Not To Go?

On my solo sojourns, Instagram has become my new companion; it is where I share the smaller, deeper joys of travel. I’ll be running a themed series every month, to inspire wanderlust and share practical travel tips. The first theme was “Solo Travel”, delving into the whys and hows, and exploring the notion of solitude.

Come with me, for if you never step out that door, you’ll never know how far you can walk.

What to expect when you travel alone?

“I made friends, not just with locals and fellow travellers, but with my own self.”

On my first solo trip in Spiti.

My first solo trip took me to the high Himalayas of Spiti; I was on a sabbatical from my corporate job, and spent a month volunteer traveling, helping the local organisation Spiti Ecosphere set up a “monk for a month” program for travellers. I hiked and hitch-hiked to remote monasteries and nunneries, and spent my days talking to monks and nuns about their daily lives (Read: Traveling Alone in India: Am I Crazy?). It was the beginning of a long and evolving relationship, one that continues to urge me to travel alone, seek solitude and experience the world on my terms.

Why go solo?

“Because how else can you feel complete freedom – to shed the baggage of everyday life, make your own choices, and even simply be the person you always wanted to be?”

Writing in my studio above Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

Back in 2011, I decided to travel alone for a reason – I wanted to test the boundaries of my comfort zone and let my dreams fly, without anyone who had known me in my regular life, judging them. I wanted to be anonymous, build new relationships, experience a way of life different from mine, introspect in the mountains and well, just be…

That first solo trip was full of so many firsts – watching a lunar eclipse amid a million shooting stars, sleeping in a monastery, stopping cars for a ride with my thumb, riding a makeshift ropeway from one mountain to another, chugging chhang (a local brew) late in the night (Read: Spiti: 10 Experiences That’ll Take Your Breath Away). But it was a journey as much within – as every solo trip since has been – it made me realise that I can be solely responsible for myself, revel in my own company, learn as much from fleeting encounters as deep relationships, trust my gut yet put my faith in strangers, feel utterly free in my mind and soul. And for that feeling, I urge you to travel solo atleast once in your life.

Are you ready for your first solo trip?

“The thing about solo travel is, whether it’s your first trip or tenth, you might never feel 100% ready. There will always be a little voice at the back of your head asking, are you crazy? “

Discovering my own backyard – the mountains of Kumaon and Garhwal.

I try to quieten that voice by pouring a lot of time into researching my destination. Having a fair idea of what I’m in for, while leaving enough space to be impulsive, is the right balance for me. You just have to experiment to see what works for you – some people prefer to plan to the t, some prefer to show up without any plans at all.

If you’re on the fence about traveling solo, start small (Read: How I Conquer My Solo Travel Fears). Take the coming weekend and explore your own town or city as though it’s your first time. Have a meal alone, speak to locals you’ve never had a conversation with, spend time with yourself in the kind of place that you’d love on your travels… or take a short trip out of your town to somewhere you’ve been before. It doesn’t have to be long or expensive. See how far you can stretch your comfort zone without getting bored or lonely.

Ultimately, solo travel is a leap of faith – you can jump into the deep end or slowly test the waters, floating there.

How to plan your solo adventures?

“You have to set your own criteria, do your research, and find a place that excites and engages you so much that you don’t crave the company of someone you know.”

Solitude by Pawna Lake.

My criteria is no crowds, local interaction, natural beauty and a unique culture – that’s the way I like to immerse myself in a destination. Some simple planning tips:

Plan to arrive durning the day and book a place atleast for the first night. The first step out of the door is the hardest, so go easy on yourself even if you like to show up without any bookings.

How to convince your parents to let you go alone?

“Grow your parents into the idea of solo travel, just as you would grow yourself. Don’t ask them for money, and don’t treat it as just a holiday.”

Hiking along the Deodar forests of Kumaon.

Truth is, every trip comes with a mini battle for me, even after all these years! But I handle my own finances, make my own decisions and feel responsible for my own safety – as any adult should. When I am out having my adventures, it’s difficult for my parents to imagine what things on the ground are like; the media is forever propagating negativity. So I don’t tell them everything I’m getting upto, and keep in touch (via Skype / Whatsapp when I’m out of India) once every day. Sometimes you have to fight for your happiness when it comes to Indian families (travel or otherwise), and in my opinion, it’s a worthwhile battle (Read: Dealing with Travel-Wary Indian Parents).

How to deal with loneliness on the road?

“Many people associate solo travel with loneliness, but just like life, you can choose how lonely you want the road to be.”

Inspired to write at Lakshman Sagar, Rajasthan.

You could plan your trips around meeting fellow travellers or locals – I often do the latter by choosing homestays and local-run accommodations. But I also crave solitude often, in a remote village where no one knows me, seeking fleeting interactions over deeper relationships. When loneliness threatens to creep in, here’s what I do:

Hello! I'm Shivya. 7+ years ago, I quit my full-time corporate job and started travelling the world. I gave up my home, sold most of my possessions and embraced the life of a digital nomad. I'm passionate about sustainable tourism, offbeat destinations, solo travel and veganism. If you enjoyed reading this blog post, leave me a comment and let me know. You can also buy a copy of my bestselling book, The Shooting Star. Thanks for joining my adventures virtually!
Connect with me on Instagram/Twitter @shivya.

Solo travel is by far my favorite. So much things to see, so much things to learn. It’s not quite the same when you have companions. I love traveling with my husband, but once a year, I like to go somewhere by myself. Excellent post. I feel that as a traveler, I owe it to the world to inspire people to do the same. There’s just so much to discover–places, history, culture, and things about yourself.

It seems our criteria matches to an extent – no crowds, local interaction (I am a bit introvert), culture, natural beauty, quite road and locality, sleepy town, local food, not-so touristy places well I can go on. But I haven’t been to lot many places, still exploring the state of Goa and every time it offers me something new. Sometimes I wonder there’s so much to see and learn in India why people go abroad – just a thought.
My idea of travelling solo is with my better half. Once we went with friends and that was biggest mistake, not again, not at all!
Travel is personal and that’s better
Thank you and keep inspiring. Wish to meet you in person someday.

There’s no doubt there’s so much to experience in India alone! But going out of the country gives you a whole new perspective to everything you take / don’t take for granted – that’s what I feel atleast, and try to mix the two up.

It’s great that you’ve found your ideal travel style and partner. That’s all that matters!

Hi Traveler Girl.
I found you on twitter and enjoyed your blog. I’m from iran and now a solo traveler in Tbilisi. I go back to Iran tomorrow. If you’re free this afternoon, this would an honor to accompany you.

Hi, I love your posts. My first solo trip was in 1986 and I totally loved it. But for a number of years, I felt the need to explain why: ‘Nobody has the time or money to travel with me right now…’ But the past few years I proudly tell people who ask that yes I travel solo and love it. (When they ask Are you alone? I teply, No, I’m in good company, with myself). I feel open to whatever comes, follow my instincts, my own path. Feel so connected to me, to my surroundings, to the universe… I meet so many wonderful people, laugh every day and live life more intensely when I’m away from home (Canada). This coming year I am selling my house and will be living and travelling solo 6 mths in Mexico. Can’t wait to get rid of all this stuff and be free and light as a bird. Happy travels, fellow wanderer!

Hey! I just stumbled into your blog. this is amazing. i am also a beginner in the travel arena and have traveled solo to only a few places. I just wanted to know if you use websites where you can stay at a host’s home eg. couchsurfing.com. What are your thoughts on that? Does it enhances the experience or you recommend something else.

Tomorrow I leave for my first solo trip. As you said, in back of mind there is a force that restrains you from taking the leap of faith. With fingers crossed I m leaving for tirthan Valley. Could you please suggest me some essentials to carry along?

Hi Binny! All the best for your first solo adventure! I guess it must be cold there now, carry enough warm clothes. Books, a notebook to write, music you like, these things always tend to put me in my comfort zone in a new place 🙂

Hey I like the way u r pursuing ur dreams….its inspiring.. I used to travel alone once upon a time when I had all the reasons to fear the world as I was a young Dame that time…..lately I have been feeling fearful of venturing out alone in train or plane…dunno why…I am a mother of two sons an en an educator…may b living in a small place I have shut myself off from the reality bytes….pls pen down a few words of encouragement!!

BE ALIVE! BE FREE! JUST BE! ………. I can’t make it outside at all most days and/or weeks! I can’t and simply don’t go out of my bedroom and have to keep the door shut too!
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW BLESSED, LUCKY AND FORTUNATE YOU REALLY ARE!! DON’T TAKE YOUR “CHOICE” FOR YOUR OWN LIFE FOR GRANTED!!! FROM ALL I’VE READ IT SEEMS OBVIOUS
TO ME THAT YOU DO. YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND EVEN A FRACTION OF THE MANY WAYS A PERSON’S ‘CHOICES’ AREALLY NOT THEIR OWN!

From last few days, I’m planning to travel solo for the first time and probably I’ll be leaving soon. As you must know there are lots of ifs and buts going on in my mind. It’s difficult to deal with them but your blogs are coming to rescue. Re-reading them is gradually decreasing the volume of inner-me. The best part is you’ve written on the basic questions a first timer faces along with providing solutions.
Thanks a lot.

Hi Shivya, Always when I plan to travel with my friends/colleagues/family, they have some reason to postpone or cancel the exciting plan. I’m just fed up of planning and seeing the plan getting nowhere on to the roads. So I started to look at the group activities arranged by the travel companies say like a weekend trek/ explore a new place/ just a weekend getaway.. Do you think I’m on the right path?

I love solo travel. Solo travel is much better than is group travel. Because In Solo Travel, there are things you want to do. No restriction, No arbitrary etc. Only enjoy.. Your blog is my way to desired information. Thanks a lot for this beauty Enjoying article with me. I appreciate it very much!

Hey Shivya,
Such an amazing post, beautifully written. Travelling solo is something I had been thinking about since long and finally I have taken the first step and it’s not just travelling solo, I have also decided to not to have a permanent address from now on. I am having mixed feelings about it but also I am extremely excited to lead a solo life. And your posts have been such an inspiration to me. Thank you 😊

Hi Shivya,
Been reading your blogs for last two hours. The best trip of my life was my only solo trip till now to Pondicherry. It was in a sense liberating for me. Loved your post. Going to read hyperlinks now. Please write about solotrips to various locations in India.

“Take the coming weekend and explore your own town or city as though it’s your first time. Have a meal alone, speak to locals you’ve never had a conversation with, spend time with yourself in the kind of place that you’d love on your travels… or take a short trip out of your town to somewhere you’ve been before. It doesn’t have to be long or expensive. See how far you can stretch your comfort zone without getting bored or lonely.”

This is the best tip of all. 😀

Starting small is probably the best idea to conquer fears. More than the outside world, I fear myself. My stubborn introvert self who hesitates everywhere to open her mouth and speak to a stranger. I don’t know how to come out of that shell, or rather if I want to come out at all.

Get my book – a national bestseller in India!

ABOUT ME

Hello! I'm Shivya Nath. In 2011, at age 23, I quit my corporate life with a dream of traveling the globe. 2 years later, I packed up my life into a backpack and decided to hit the road indefinitely. I travel slow, seek offbeat and local experiences, stay in a place for a few weeks or as long as it inspires me, and move on.

I've hitch-hiked along Romania's northern countryside, lived with a Mayan community in Guatemala, journeyed along Canada's great wilderness by train and swum with black tip sharks on Malaysia's east coast. I hope to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and discover the world!